Chemotherapy

What is chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy refers to the use of medicines to treat cancer. It has been used for
many years and is one of the most common treatments for cancer. In most cases, chemotherapy
works by interfering with the cancer cell's ability to grow and reproduce. Different
groups of medicines work in different ways to fight cancer cells. Chemotherapy may
be used alone for some types of cancer or in combination with other treatments such
as radiation or surgery. Often, a combination of chemotherapy medicines is used to
fight a specific cancer. Certain chemotherapy medicines may be given in a specific
order depending on the type of cancer they are being used to treat.

While chemotherapy can be quite effective in treating certain cancers, chemotherapy
medicines reach all parts of the body, not just the cancer cells. Because of this,
there can be many side effects during treatment. Being able to anticipate these side
effects can help you and your caregivers prepare for and manage them.

How is chemotherapy given?

Chemotherapy can be given:

As a pill to swallow

As an injection (shot) into the muscle or fat tissue

Intravenously (directly to the bloodstream; also called IV)

Topically (applied to the skin)

Directly into a body cavity

To reduce the damage to healthy cells and to give them a chance to recover, chemotherapy
is usually given in cycles. Chemotherapy may be given daily, weekly, every few weeks,
or monthly, depending on your situation.

Chemotherapy is usually given in an outpatient setting. This includes a hospital,
clinic, or healthcare provider's office. Patients receiving chemotherapy will be watched
for reactions during treatments. Since each chemotherapy treatment session may last
for a while, patients are encouraged to take along something that is comforting, such
as music to listen to. It is also recommended to bring something to help pass the
time, such as a deck of cards or a book. Since it is hard to predict how a patient
will feel after chemotherapy, it is important to have someone drive the person to
and from the appointment.

What are some of the chemotherapy medicines and their potential side effects?

There are a number of chemotherapy medicines that are commonly used. The following
table gives examples of a few of the more commonly used chemotherapy medicines and
their various names. It lists some of the cancer types but not necessarily all of
the cancers for which they are used. It also describes common side effects. Side effects
may happen just after treatment (days or weeks), or they may happen later (months
or even years) after the chemotherapy has been given. The side effects listed below
do not make up an all-inclusive list. Other side effects are possible.

As each person's individual medical profile and diagnosis is different, so is his
or her reaction to treatment. Side effects may be severe, mild, or absent. Be sure
to discuss with your cancer care team possible side effects of treatment before treatment
begins. Ask for written information on each medicine that you're getting so you know
what to watch for and what to report to your healthcare provider.

Chemotherapy medicine

Possible side effects

(Not all side effects are listed. Some of those listed may be short-term side effects.
Others are long-term side effects.)